Spindle



July 27, 1937. P. M. PIERRAT 2,088,011

SPINDLE Filed April 27, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Paul Marie P/erraz, I v5 NTo R BY ms ATTORNEY July 27, 1937. P, PlERRAT 1 2,088,011

SPINDLE Filed April 27, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J l y 17 O 16 7 6 2 PaulMarie Pier/m, INVENTQR BY 1-115 ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1937 E s eUNHT FFICE mesne assignments, to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company,Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application April 27, 1931,-Serial No. 533,175

26 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the fluid treatmentof packages of thread. More particularly the invention relates to amethod and apparatus for the fluid treatment of bobbins or otherpackages 'of artificial thread made by the viscose or a similar process.

This invention will be described with particular reference to theviscose process but the invention is equally applicable to the treatmentof artificial threads made by other processes and to the fluid treatmentof thread of any kind which has been gathered into packages. In theviscose process of making artificial silk viscose is spun into aregenerating bath from which it is withdrawn as a thread of regeneratedcellulose and wound on bobbins. The yarn which is thus formed containslarge quantities of acids, salts, sulfur compounds and other reactionproducts. The yarn must be freed from these impurities and in many casesmust be dyed, sized, treated with lubricants, and finished in variousways before being sold. The nature of the thread is such at this stageof its manufacture that handling is to be avoided. Consequently, thetreatments are most advantageously carried out while the yarn is on thebobbin or in other package-d form.

The washing of yarn packages is carried out at the present time by drip,centrifugal, vacuum, and pressure processes each of which has itsadvantages and disadvantages. Of these methods treatment by pressureofiers the greatest promise. It has, however, been handicapped in thepast by causes more fully explained in the succeeding paragraph.

In the pressure treatment of artificial silk the silk is wound onperforated bobbins which are customarily arranged on spindles, singly orin groups, by clamping or screwing compressible gaskets against the endsof the bobbins. necessary to the treatment are then forced through thebobbins and the thread package. Difficulty is experienced when highpressure is used (that is, pressure of 40-50 pounds per square inch) byreason of leakage around, or blowing out of the gaskets. This method,furthermore, has

' heretofore required an excessive amount of time in the transference ofbobbins to and their removal from the spindles. The gaskets also aresubject to excessive wear and frequent replacement. In cases where thereis a leaking gasket the washing must be stopped until the gasket can bereplaced. I

An object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus forfluid treating artifi- Fluids cial silk cakes whereby the abovedifficulties are overcome. Another object of the invention consists inthe construction of a spindle which auto- 7 matically seals the ends ofthe bobbin and prevents the escape of fluid and which also auto- 5matically releases the bobbin when the washing is completed. A stillfurther object of the invention consists in the use of a new andimproved type of washing spindle. Other objects of the invention will bein part apparent and in part described in the following specification.

Figure 1 is an exploded view of. my new washing apparatus. Figure 2 is alongitudinal diametrical section of 'my apparatus in operation. Figure 3is a longitudinal diametrical section of the spindle body. Figure 4 is alongitudinal section of the spindle end. Figure 5 is a longitudinaldiametrical section of the spacer. Figure 6 is a cross section of thespacer on the line AA of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross section of theexpansible gasket. In the drawings like numbers refer to like parts.

Referring now to the drawings, numeral 1 indicates the spindle bodywhich is provided with a screw-threaded extension 4 for attachment to asuitable source of fluid supply.

The spindle body is provided with a shoulder l I which may have a minorshoulder ll! of hexagonal shape for the application of a Wrench. Thisshoulder is provided on what we shall term its inner side with anundercut annular portion 8.

A fluid channel 1 runs longitudinally the length of the spindle and sidechannels 6 and I6 pass through the spindle body to its outer surface.This passage is screw-threaded at the end of the spindle opposite theshoulder for the reception of. the spindle end.

The spacer 3 is provided at each end with an. annular ring 8a in theshape of a conic section. Connected with these two rings are a number of40 broad strips it with openings between them. As illustrated thesestrips are in the form of plates with a rib but they may, of course, beof any suitable shape.

The spindle end 2 is provided at what I shall term its inner end with ascrew-threaded extension it which is designed to screw into thescrewthreaoled end of the spindle body I. The spindle end is providedwith an annular undercut ring 8b and with channels la'and I5. Thespindle end may be provided with a recess I! for the reception of awrench.

The number 5 designates a ring-shaped washer which. may be substantiallyU-shaped in cross section having sides formed at an angle approximatelyequal to the angle at which the annular members 8, 8a, and 8b areundercut.

In assembling the apparatus a washer is slipped over the spindle intothe position shown at the left of Figure 2 abutting the undercutannulus. The spacer is then placed in position as shown in Figure 2 withits undercut annulus abutting the other diagonal face of the washer andwith one of the plates over the channel 6. In the construction of thespindle body and spacer the channel ti and spacer it are so spaced thatthe plates may always be made to cover the channel openings. The spacerplates iii are constructed as at 53 so that a space exists between theplate and the outlet of channel 5. A second washer 5 is then slippedinto place on shoulder id of spindle end 2 and the spindle end is thenscrewed into position.

The relation of shoulders 32] and 29 to the length of the variouselements of the apparatus is such that each element has what may betermed a loose fit. The washers 5 are not under compression and thespacer 3 may be turned by hand in order to arrange the plates above theorifices of the channels.

The diameter of the Washers 5 in assembled position is such that abobbin ill carrying a cake of artificial silk may be slipped on and offwith erfect ease so long as the fluid treatment is not progressing. Thebobbin ill may be of any suitable liind but is preferably ioraminous inthe portion under the thread and solid at the ends.

As soon as the wash water or other fluid is turned on the liquid entersthe channel 3 and fllls the channels i5, 6, la, and it as shown by thearrows. Due to the resistance of the cake of artificial silk to thepassage of the liquid, pressure inside the apparatus builds up and as itbuilds up it forces the walls of the washers 5 into tight contact withthe annular faces 8, 8a, and 8b and the peripheries of the washers intotight and sealing contact with the ends of the bobbin it. It is,therefore, seen that liquid cannot escape around the ends of the bobbinor through other portions of the apparatus and that its only outlet is,consequently, through the cake of artificial silk. As soon as thetreating fluid is turned off the washers retract to their normal sizeand the bobbin with its cake can be slid oh and transferred to thelocation or" the next step in its manufacture.

The spindle body and the spacer may be of practically any materialhaving sufficient rigidity to retain the desired shape. They canadvantageously be made, however, of molded compositions such as micartaor of metals such as aluminum which are not affected by the treatingfluids with which they come in contact. The washers 5 can be made of anyflexible material which has sufficient resilience but are advantageouslymade of rubber or rubber compositions, or can be made of other flexibleand resilient materials which are not seriously affected by the liquidswith which they come in contact.

Among the advantages of my invention are speed of handling, automaticsealing and unsealing of the bobbin, ease of assemblage of theapparatus, low cost of replacement due to the practically negligiblewear and tear on the elements, and quicker, more thorough, and lessexpensive treating of the thread. Other advantages will be apparent froma consideration of the specification.

As many apparently widely different emb0dimerits of this invention maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that I do not limit myself to the specific embodimentsthereof except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fluid treating apparatus a supporting means, a thread holdercarried by the supporting means, expansible means between the supportingmeans and thread holder, and fluid means for expanding the saidexpansible means.

2. In a washing apparatus a spindle, a bobbin carried by the spindle,expansible means between the spindle and bobbin, and fluid means forexpanding the said expansible means.

3. In an apparatus for fluid treatments a member provided with anannular undercut face, an element carried thereby and provided with anannular undercut face, a flexible washer of substantially U-shaped crosssection between said annuli, and fluid means for expanding the washer.

a. In a fluid apparatus means for holding a bobbin, an annulus on saidmeans, a member car ried by said means and provided with an annulus, aflexible washer between said annuli, and fluid means for expanding thewasher.

5. In a washing apparatus means for holding a bobbin, an annulus on saidmeans, a member carried by said means and provided with an annulus, aflexible washer of substantially U-shaped cross section between saidannuli, and fluid pres sure means for expanding the washer.

6. In a washing apparatus means for holding a bobbin, an annulus on saidmeans, a spacer carried by said means and provided with an annulus, aflexible ring-shaped washer of substantialiy U-shaped cross section forcooperation wi h the annuli of said means and said spacer, and fluidpressure means for expanding the washer against the said annuli.

7. In a washing apparatus means for holding a thread carrier, an annuluson said means, a spacer carried by said means and provided with anannulus, a flexible ring-shaped washer of substantially U-shaped crosssection for cooperation with the annuli of said means and said spacer, athread carrier mounted on. the said means for cooperation with theperiphery of the washer, and fluid pressure means for expanding thewasher against the cooperating annuli and thread carrier.

8. In a washing apparatus a fluid supply, a spindle for attachmentthereto having an annulus, a spacer carried by the spindle and providedwith an annulus, a flexible ring-shaped washer of substantially U-shapedcross section for cooperation with the annuli of spindle and spacer, athread carrier mounted on. the spindle for cooperation with the:periphery of the washer, and fluid pressure means for expanding thewasher against the cooperating annuli and thread carrier.

9. In a washing apparatus a fluid supply, a spindle for attachmentthereto having an undercut annulus and having a fluid channel, a spacercarried by the spindle and provided with an undercut annulus, a flexiblering-shaped washer of substantially U-shaped cross section between andfor cooperation with the annuli of spindle and spacer, means mounted onthe spindle for cooperation with the periphery of the washer, and afluid channel to the washer whereby it may be expanded by fluid pressureagainst the cooperating annuli and the said mounted means.

10. In a washing apparatus a fluid supply, a spindle for attachmentthereto having an undercut annulus and having a fluid channeL'a spacercarried by the spindle and provided with an undercut annulus, anexpansible washer between and for cooperation with the annuli of spindleand spacer, means mounted on the spindle for cooperation with thewasher, and a fluid channel to the expansible washer whereby it isexpanded against the cooperating annuli and against the said mountedmeans.

11. In a washing apparatus a fluid supply, a spindle for attachmentthereto having an undercut annulus and having a fluid channel, a spacercarried by the spindle and provided With an undercut annulus, anexpansible-washer between and for cooperation with the annuli of spindleand *spacer, means mounted on the spindle for cooperation with thewasher, a channel in the spindle for directing fluid to the spacer,means on the spacer for controlling the flow of fluid to the saidmounted means and a fluid channel leading to the expansible washerwhereby it is expanded against the cooperating annuli and against thesaid mounted means.

' 12. In a washing apparatus a fluid supply, spindle for attachmentthereto having an annulus adjacent each end and having a fluid channel,a spacer carried by the spindle between the said annuli and providedadjacent its ends with annuli, expansible washers between and forcooperation with the annuli of spindle and spacer, a thread carriermounted onthe spindle, a channel in the spindle for directing fluid tothe spacer, means on the spacer for controlling the flow of the saidfluid to the thread carrier, and

a channel to the interior of the expansible washers whereby fluidpressure will act to expand the washers against the cooperating annuliand against the thread carrier.-

13. In a washing apparatus a fluid supply, a spindle for attachmentthereto having an undercut annulus adjacent each end and provided with achannel for a fluid, a spacer carried by the spindle between the saidundercut annuli and provided at its ends with undercut annuli,

expansible washers between the cooperating annuli of spindle and spacenaperforated thread carrier mounted on the spindle, a fluid channel to thespacer and the thread carrier, means on the spacer for controlling theflow of fluid to the thread carrier and a fluid channel to. the interiorof each of the expansible washers whereby fluid pressure will act toexpand the Washers against their cooperating undercut annuli and againstthe ends of the thread carrier.

14. In a washing apparatus a fluid supply, a spindle body for attachmentthereto having an undercut annulus adjacent each end and provided with achannel for a fluid, a perforated spacer carried by the spindle betweenthe said undercut annuli and provided at its ends with cooperatingundercut annuli, expansible washers between the respective cooperatingannuli, a foraminous thread carrier mounted on thespindle, a fluidchannel to the thread carrier, means on the spacer for directing theflow of fluid, and a fluid channel to the interior of each of theexpansible washers whereby fluid pres- 7 the bobbin wall.

rated spacer carried by the spindle between the said undercut annuli andprovided at its ends with cooperating undercut annuli, expansiblewashers between the respective cooperating anvided with a cooperatingfluid channel, a perfothreaded portion for attachment to' thescrewthreaded channel of the spindle body, a perforated spacer carriedby the spindle between the said undercut annuli having means fordirecting a flow of fluid and provided at its ends with cooperatingundercut annuli, expansible Washers betweenthe respective cooperatingannuli, a forarninous thread carrier mounted on the spindle, a fluidchannel to the thread carrier, and a fluid channel to. the interior ofeach of the expansible washers whereby fluid pressure will act to expandthe washers against their cooperating undercut annuli and against theends of the thread carrier. 7 p

i7. In a fluid treating apparatus supporting means provided with annuli,expansible means between the annuli, and fluid means for expanding thesaid expansible means.

16. In a fluid treating apparatus supporting means provided withundercut annuli, expansible means cooperating with the said undercutannuli, and fluid means for expanding the said ex-' pansible means.

19. Ina fluid treating apparatus supporting means provided with undercutannuli, expansible means between the annuli, a holder carried by thesupporting means and having a fluid impermeable portion in cooperatingrelation to the expansible means, and fluid means for expanding the saidexpansible means into fluid-tight cooperation with the said annuli andthe said holder.

20. A self-sealing joint comprising cylindrical means, expansible.annular means about said means, cylindrical means encircling saidexpansible means but substantially out of contact therewith, and fluidmeans for expanding said expansible means into contact with saidencircling means.

21. In a fluid treating apparatus a supporting cans, a thread holdercarried by the supporting means having imperforate ends and perforationstherebetween, expansible means between the supporting means and the endsof the thread fluid will be passed through the perforations of thethread holder.

22. In a washing apparatus a spindle, a bobbin carried thereby,expansible means between the spindle and the ends of the bobbin, andfluid means for expanding the said expansible means into sealing contactwith the bobbin ends whereby the fluid will be forced throughperforations in 23. In a fluid treating apparatus supporting meansprovided with undercut annuli, expansible means between the annuli, acylindrical member carried by the supporting means and having separatedfluid impermeable portions in cooperating relation to the expansiblemeans, and fluid means for expanding said expansible means into afluid-tight cooperation With the said. annuli and the said fluidimpermeable portions of the said cylindrical member.

24. In a device for use in the after treatment of artificial filaments,in combination, a bottom, a perforated tube rigidly secured thereto, aseries of gaskets of soft rubber surrounding the tube at spacedintervals, and means whereby the said gaskets may be caused to expand.

25. A sealing means for use in the after treatment of filaments, etc;comprising a perforated support and a flexible, covering for one of theperforations therein, and means for the application of fluid pressure tosaid covered perforation whereby pressure may be applied to saidperforation covered by said flexible covering, and said flexiblecovering may be expanded.

26. In combination, a perforated tube-like support for spooledfilaments, etc.; a plurality of flexible coverings for said support,located at spaced points on said support, and means for the applicationof fluid pressure between said support and said coverings wherebypressure may be applied to the perforations covered by said coverings,and said flexible coverings may be expanded.

PAUL MARIE PIER/RAT.

